Library
Located on the top floor of the Mitchell Building since Autumn 2020, the library now offers a spacious and tranquil environment that supports learning across the school community. It can accommodate around 75 students in various zones; whether you’re looking for somewhere to get your homework done, prepare for external exams or read quietly without being disturbed, there is an ideal space for you.
The library is open from 8.00am – 5.30pm Monday – Thursday, 8.00am – 4.00pm on Fridays. Open to all members of the school community before and after school as well as during break and lunch time, we also welcome sixth formers coming to work quietly during study periods. The Conference Room can be booked for small classes or quiet group work and host numerous reading groups that meet during the year.
For Years 7 – 9, fortnightly library lessons with their English teacher take place in a dedicated classroom area within the library. Here they will be encouraged to read a range of fiction genres, as well as develop their research skills.
RESOURCES
Our Library Information System – Accessit – has details of the c. 8,000 resources in our physical catalogue, ranging from novels to reference books, DVDs to A’ Level Revision Guides. Via Accessit we offer a host of reading lists, access to numerous digital newspapers and magazines and information about book groups, library activities etc. Accessit’s One Search function can also be used to carry out a targeted search of the internet. You can view the WebApp and browse the catalogue by logging in using students’ usual school login username and password here:
Skinners' School Library Web App
We subscribe to a selection of Hodder Review Magazines, to support the A’ Level curriculum, as well as national and local newspapers and a selection of general interest magazines.
A suite of Library laptops is available for use in the Library.
Colour and black & white printing/photocopying for students’ work or reference only resources is available at a reasonable cost and a selection of essential stationery can be purchased at cost price.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
The Homework Hub is located in the library Monday – Thursday 3.35 – 5.00: all pupils are welcome to attend, whether regularly or on an occasional basis.
The librarians run two Book Groups during the school Year as part of the Reading for Pleasure initiative. Meetings take place at lunchtime in a relaxed atmosphere:
o Page Turners is a themed book award (November – March) with an annual Award Ceremony held locally in March
o The Carnegie Shadowing Group (March – June) is a national book award that culminates in a Balloon Debate held in June with other local schools
